Sunday, October 1, 2006

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." -George Eliot

October is...

The name October comes from the Latin word "octo" which means "eight". October was the 8th month in the Roman calendar. October became the 10th month when the beginning of the year was moved from March 1st to January 1st.

The Dutch name for October is Wijnmaand or "wine month." For the Finnish, October is called lokakuu, meaning "month of dirt". In Gaelic, October has several names: in Scottish, October is called an Damhar, meaning "rutting time" for the Irish, October is called Deireadh Fómhair, meaning "end of harvest-time," and for the Welsh, October is called "Hydref", meaning "autumn". In the Japanese calendar, the month is called Kan'na dzuki, which means "the absence of god." (Wikipedia)

The full moon month names for this month are the Hunter's Moon, Travel Moon, and the Dying Grass Moon. (Farmer's Almanac).

The weather proverbs for this month are:

Much rain in October,Much wind in December. -Traditional English Proverb

If October bring much frost and wind,Then are January and February mild. -Traditional English Proverb

A warm October,A cold February. -Traditional English Proverb

Full Moon in October without frost,No frost till November’s Full Moon. -Traditional English Proverb (The full moon in October will be the 6th)

There are always nineteen fine days in October. -Traditional English Proverb

As the weather in October, so will it be in the next March. -Traditional English Proverb

When birds and badgers are fat in October, expect a cold Winter.- Traditional American Proverb (Wilson's Almanac)

October's traditional birthstone is opal, for hope, but folklore states that opals will bring bad luck to those not born in October who wear it. Gemologists believe this comes from the fact that opals are soft, liquid filled and prone to crack if not taken care of properly. Non-traditional birthstones are rose quartz, pink saphire, or tourmaline.

October's flower is the marigold (calendula).

October’s child is born for woe,And life’s vicissitudes must knowBut lay an Opal on her breast,And hope will lull those woes to rest. Annie Fellows Johnston